News and Updates
After our workshops our team left for Uzhgorod's city center...
... To avoid anymore citizens calling the Custom/border police, Tomson decided to wear his CANADA shirt...
Personally, this store caught my eyes...
We also picked up a ton of groceries in preparation for the next day's Chinese dinner cooked by us... We worked pass midnight in preparing some of the food!
In the afternoon, Andrea led a Chinese painting workshop.
They learned how to hold the brush and painting techniques...
... Josef copied the chinese words from the brush packaging...
Andrea showed them 3 samples in which they can try for themselves...
On the 2nd day of the Romani Outreach I decided to bring my camera along. As we arrived at the site, we discovered the 3 tents were gone... It turns out the giant storm last night has wreck the tents and the people tried to save them... But even if we had the tents, it would not be able to cover all the children... The people decided to extend a giant tarp over the area...
... the rain was really pouring down that day!!!
Children started to arrive from the 2 settlements... We had approx. 170-195 people...
... Some like it in the rain...
After we packed them underneath the tarp, we started the program...
They loved the songs...
... Our awesome 2nd translator... because this group speaks hungarian we translate through Vasya to him...
Our local DJ.. The audio equipments were setup inside the church(speakers aim through the windows) since it was so wet outside.
Pastor Jon and some of the helpers!
Pastor Jon's daughter, Esther with Tiffany by the door of the church...
Pastor Jon's son, Joshua... I really feel for these Missionary kids, especially in this ministry. I told him I know God will give him and his family much blessings... And I hope he will see God work in his parents and in his life because of their sacrifice...
... Children getting ready for snacks... We had snacks before the other activities because most children come unfed...
... Prayer for the snack...
Snacks was a drink and fruit...
... There were many holes in the tarp...
Every so often they poke the tarp with the shuffle to unload some of the water on top, the kids love to be under it...
The kids love to pop their juice box... Some even blow it up again and step on it for a few more times... The adults were no exception...
The children came wearing their BEST clothes... This boy was in a suit...
We moved the little ones into the church to color as the older ones play games...
Even the helpers want to color...
Outside, we modified our "Hot Potato/balloon" game underneath the tarp...
... when the music stops the first team to pop the balloon gets a point!
... Unfortunately some of the kids didn't understand they should only pop the balloon when the music stopped... During the last round of the game, this kid pop the balloon when it was passed to him and thought he won it for the team... We actually feared for his life...
After the game Crystal showed the Gospel flip book!
And there was a time for prayer and response...
We prayed that the seed is sow...
Afterward we did our craft. The color beads bracelet!
... Catching raindrops with the zip lock bag from the craft...
After the craft, their praise team sang a song while we waited for lunch to arrive... We were actually way early in our schedule and the lunch delivery truck wasn't arriving for another half an hour...We led a few more songs to keep the kids at bay...
... Lunch has arrived! Today was different than yesterday as everyone was crowded under the tarp. We did our best to keep the lunch process under control!
As our lunch reach the end, 2 older ladies walked in with a bucket. Left over food were deposited into the it. Food is very important here...
As we ended our Romani outreach events, we came back with a lot of learnings. We learned alot about the people and the culture, but we were also humbled by the people who are willing to commit their time and their lives into these people...
After our visitation that day we were invited to Valery's home for dinner. As we arrived at his house we notice there were a uniform officer and some unfamiliar faces. Vasya smiled and ask if we have a passport, all of us thought Vasya was joking as everyone was laughing. Then we found out somebody in town reported us to the border/custom officers (they reported Ivan's license plate; he was driving us to visitations), people thought we were illegal immigrants. As it turns out a lot of Asians travel through these mountains on their way into europe. And harboring such individuals here is a big (black market) business... It doesn't help when the punishment is only $30 for harboring one...
Thankfully Andrea kept her passport with her... the officer only need 1 passport to make sure we are legal travelers...
... back to the BBQ...
... the most popular summer drinks (of all ages) here... It taste similar to beer (made from barley/wheat?), but no alcohol.
Mark and Amie took me to the back yard to show me the big dog... oh dear...
This sums up our adventure of the evening... As night approach and thunderstorm came through...
He provided a sheet of white cloud on top of our meeting area. This provided a much needed shade for us and the children so that we can carry on with our program. We have songs from us and the local praise team. The children were very excited in singing songs along with actions.
As we headed out to visitation that day we found many of the kids wasn't home (out to the river as it was a hot day...)
The older children was away today in this home... only the parents and the younger ones were home... note the giant hole covered by fences at the door...
We headed to our last stop of the day (Traffic was insane today as one of the road closed...)
And the children were home!!
As you might have noticed, they have a lot of kittens...
After we left we asked why do people have so many children? We found out parents receive more and more money with each successive child. The parents can leave the children at the state orphanage but retain their parental rights and still receive monthly financial aid from the state. The money don't follow the child... We have heard stories where father gives up his baby for money to buy a horse... and mother who had a child only to give them up to receive money to fix their house...
We spent the morning and noon at the Romani settlement doing Outreach event #1! I didn't bring the camera because I wasn't sure what to expect, I needed all my concentration that morning. God very much over-delivered on His promise of good weather and crowd control! We learned alot that morning!In the afternoon we continued with the lessons/workshops.
The English lesson (Alphabet and Animals today)...
And the older group with their Jonah book study!
After the lessons we left for more visitations!
Josef, built this from scratch (house)... forget legos, this is the real thing!
The 2nd family had a few children in our camp. They live in a room at the back of their relative's house...
At the door to their room is one of the craft we did last week...
We tried to take a photo in the small space... They showed us their leaking roof which was also destroying their floor...
Outside the yard was a half built house... which the father originally started... but a bad accident stopped him from continuing... An interesting observation here with dogs. Dogs here are scared of human... I hear a lot of dogs crying here in Ukraine...
As I took this photo her mom kicked the dog away... Alot of dogs here are treated quite differently... I can see why they are scared of us...
During the afternoon we visited some of the kids and gave them some photos of them during last week.We arrived at Kristina's home through a small alleyway. She is being cared for by her grandmom. She lost quite a few family members to TB.
Most of home we visited there's just 1 room with beds all around. Usually there's 7-12 people living in one place...
Kristina put up her pictures in the shelf behind her...
Her grandmom explaining to us her daughter that died from TB...
As we were leaving, the uncle of Kristina showed Vasya photos of his 8 children. All are in State orphanage 'cause he can't support them... I can hear the sadness in his voices as he flip through his photos...
I decided to split this day up in a few post because half of our day was spent with the HOM kids in various workshop / lessons, and then other half we went to visit some of the kids that came to our camp last week. The latter half is a story on its own.We started off the morning with singing!
Colin... you've been replaced...
Tiffany, Lisa, and I were in the English class.
Afterward we had a "Photography" class... They are learning to "Frame" a shot...
They also have to learn to share as they partnered up.
At lunch we met Pastor John, we learned so much from his experience as he talked (he know some english) about why he came and some of the incident that scared me... He was once beaten up quite badly by a few Romani teens while he was looking for a settlement on his bike. Ivan found him bleeding on the road and took him to the hospital. After he recovered he went back, some of them ask for forgiveness. He's also here with his family, a young son daugther whom we met today at the Outreach event. Tough being Missionary kids, especially here...
One thing he also speak on is how important to develop Leaders in the settlements instead of coming to do events. People expect food and supplies from foreign groups, but what they really need is leaders to change their thinking and lifestyle from within.
As we head into our last visitation of the day we found one of the girl who only came for the first day of the camp. She was sick and could not be with us for the rest of last week... There's approx. 10 families in this hidden "compound"...
We then found Valek and his sisters, but his brother Sasha just left for the market...
... where her mother works and sells these we think...
But as we were about to leave, Sasha came back! We really wanted to see him!
We finally got to take a group pictures with all the kids!
An interesting story with this family, they were going to be evicted last year (A giant crane nearly killed them when it came crashing down one day...) and a new condo/supermarket was going to be built on that land. The team from last year pray over them throughout the year and God answered with the GLOBAL RECESSION. Because of the recession, constructions was halted and many families was able to stayed... They would have no where else to go if they are evicted...
One thing we found out is beneath the nice streets and shops hides much poverty and oppression... As we headed down a small alley way across from a big shiny store we find a family of women and their children.
We gave them the pictures along with some food aids...
Vasya explained their condition to us... Their house is ready to collapse and their land is slowly being taken away by people with bigger power... Fundraising is being done in Norway to help this family fix their roof...
We all say our Good Byes at the end of the alley way...
Before we left for the settlement on Sat. afternoon we celebrated another birthday! Maxim's!
The girls lifted him this time! On the first try he fell off! But they threw him back on right after!
The adults decided to one-UP the girls! They threw him up high... till he touch the sky!!!
We also saw Vasya's baby, Timothy! But I was told to show the picture much later as a surprise?
Going to skip the morning(for now) and go right into the most challenging experience of my life.Yesterday we left for the Romani settlements to assess the location of the 2 outreach events. I wasn't sure what to expect and in my mind this next week should be easier than the first...
As we left the city and into a smaller town we learned that Romani settlements usually plant itself just on the outskirt of a town/city.
As we entered into the settlement I knew right away this is going to be the toughest challenge I have ever face. Physically, mentally, spiritually.
We got off infront of a building under construction. The local pastor told us they are building a bigger place of worship, because...
Their current church (in a shack) was too small... understatement of the year. I was standing in the back of this small room with a wide angle lense. This place sits 50 people. Its probably one of the nicest place in the whole settlement. I was in shock by then and I completely blanked out to the hundreds of flies around me... I only knew because some of my team members were slapping my back to get rid of them... If you look closely the roof is at my height.
The local pastor took us around and show us a well/hole where they get the clay/mud to make the bricks for the new church.
As we walk our way around the area a few children followed us around. One of the boy waved around a broken toy cellphone. And as he walk infront of this house he pretend to take a picture with his phone. I turned around and saw what he was "taking" a picture of...
This picture haunts me...
I have seen news, I have seen pictures and heard story... but nothing compared to being put into this place which forces me to confront my comfort level with this reality around me. At that moment I can't reconcile what I was seeing... I was traumatized and in shock...
We left this settlement and headed to another where the outreach event will take place. They had a small field and a church.
Inside the small church there were many pictures on the wall... of previous camps hosted by other european countries... There was also a picture with a S.Korean pastor. It seem he has been here for many years. I can not imagine the love he has for these people...
... Finalizing plans for the 2 days...
The picture below summed up my experience that day. Everything was blurry and distanced. Not that the camera can't focus... but I can't focus. . In my mind I was asking... how can I serve 250 of these children when I can't even hold 1 child's hand. I was very disappointed at myself. And throughout that night my mind wrestle to reconcile why I am here. They are the same as us in the eyes of God. We are all just as dirty. We are all just as loved. If Jesus can eat with sinners and touch the sick, why can't I? I knew I have 2 days to make it up. And I pray that God will help me move pass my weaknesses and do the work of Him who sent me.
Final day of Camp!Early morning Vasya's mom (Nadia) preparing lunch for the camp.
Today's bible story was act out by the HOM kids instead of us! It's the story of Jesus's birth and how God is Unforgettable. The kids did an awesome job (they were very diligent in memorizing their lines the night before!)
Singing time! Each day there were new kids, today was no exception!
In today's memory verse station, they had to cross the river by stepping on the right sequence of word!
In the Craft station, they decorated a new hat!
Alot of the kids ask us to sign their hats.
Sometimes these 3 words is all you need to know...
Tomson serving lunch! If you notice, Tomson is really really tanned these days!
After lunch we travelled to the Prayer House (Church) to practice and get ready for the Parent's Presentation!
As the kids arrived we found out there was a wedding next day (some decorations started already) so we quickly made some adjustments as the kids waited on the side.
... But first we wanted to thank our volunteers/translators/helpers!!
... And then Practice began!!!
... We wear the hat for the "Jesus in the Boat" song...
More song practices... "Deep, Deep"
... Ivan watching the practice.
Part of the team preparing the refreshments in the lower floor...
... the bakery here are extremely good. We had 4 different kinds of cakes...
The children watched through the window (into the kitchen) with anticipation...
A bit of free time before the event starts.
Some of the family started to arrive.
"Our God is So Big"....
"Jesus in the Boat"...
Then we had drama by the kids (all in Ukrainian), the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Roslan is the King... Roslan is one of the older kids in the camp... Full of potentials!
One of our helper was "Old Story"...
... The story unfolds...
... "WE WILL NOT BOW!!!!!"....
After the message, they sang an Ukrainian kids song...
... And then it was refreshment time!!!
Saving some for home...
Then it was time to say Good Bye...
... With that we conclude our 1st week of Camp. We will surely miss this kids as they have so much potential and are invaluable to God's kingdom.
We got a moment of break last night and today God have put us in another challenge! One that personally has put me in a state of shock. Something to write about in another post.
On the last day of the Camp we took a group photo!
This is the 2nd last day of the camp, it is also the day we made an altar call after the gospel message! God is truly unpredictable!When you ask for volunteers, you'll get a sea of hands, don't matter how old they are...
In the story today we talked about Elijah and how God spoke to him in a whisper. Some were the FIRE: which was led by Andrea:
... here she is showing them how to do an explosion of fire... The kids kept doing her sequence throughout the day.
Tomson was Elijah:
... Lisa led the Wind group...
Then they played the Telephone game...
The boys couldn't get it even after they "by pass" a few steps...
At the bible memory verse station the kids have to find the correct sequence of balloons...
"READY, SET, GO!!!!"
In the afternoon everyone practiced(Songs) for Friday's parent's presentation:
We had Canadian snacks day with Fruit by the foot.
This is Tanya, she is like the big sister in HOM. She helps out in alot of places and she also understand a little bit of english.
This is Sasha as he's waiting on the minibus. He also had his hands up during the altar call. We can all pray for him. Very good kid.
Here are some of the kids waiting on the minibus. David (right) have a shirt fully loaded with snacks.
During the night, we heard fireworks... and surly enough it was a few doors down. From what we know, it's probably a birthday party or wedding. Woo.
That's it for yesterday's event. As we post this, we have officially ended our week 1 camp! Please continue to pray for the weather as it is quite hot, and we were told it usually gets HOTTER!!!
Day 3 of the Camp was a special one as its also our big Olympic Game day!Morning gathering.
Memory verse activity with the younger group.
Blind folded and assigned part of the bible verse they must find their other team mates! (Color coded and in Ukrainian).
During the FREE TIME they were given a choice to go out and play or decorate their journals. There was a LOT of kids (Young and Old) that stuck around to decorate! And if you look closely there's hundreds of little pieces and stickers everywhere.... but AFTER they finished, they completely cleaned it up.... I was extremely impressed (I did the "Home Alone" facial expression when I came back and saw how clean it was!)... even for adults it would be have been a huge clean up job!
This is Sasha. If you look at his cover, it actually have all our names on it! Great kid!
In the afternoon they played a few rounds of Telephone Charade! It was a huge hit!!
Eric passing the action down... completely different than what it originally was!!
Its a Great day for an Olympic Game! God provided passing clouds when it was needed!
First the 3 legged race!
Then the balloon distance toss:
(She's not crying, she's running away from an imminent balloon explosion!
Last we had a water transfer relay!
Announcing the winner!
And what better way to end it then with a water balloon fight! Here in the center is Nils, he actually came to the Center the same day as us. He is a Norwegian who had previous came as a team to help built and repair various part of the center. He decided to come and be with the kids for a week by himself as his vacation. He really do care for these children and he just left tonight a few hrs ago.
Someone finally figure out a bucket of water is more lethal than a water balloon.
Watermelon is the snack of the day.
Andrea was the only one who got wet from our team.
Home time:
... And finally my post ends with a photo of Vasya's new favorite toy!
As day 2 of the camp rolled around kids are starting to get used to the schedule and sequence of events. Here are some highlights from the camp:On Day 2 we started journaling with the kids. The younger ones draws, while the older ones write out their thoughts.
The bible story of the day was Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego... Here they are being thrown into the fiery furnace!
Here is the memory verse station with the 9-11 kids:
The younger children loved the bible game of the day!
At the end of the day there was a birthday celebration/surprise for one of the HOM teacher!
And that wraps up some of tuesday's event!
Please continue to pray for the weather as it is getting pretty hot outside (and at night). We have seen God move in clouds and breeze today also which was great! Also tomorrow (Day 4 camp) we will have an altar call and we are praying that God will work in these children's heart!
